Canadian Clinical Guide to Organ Donation

The Canadian Clinical Guide to Organ Donation is an organ donation curriculum for health professionals that enhances competencies in the identification and care of potential deceased donors and their families. The Canadian Clinical Guide to Organ Donation is a free self-directed, interactive, online e-learning course featuring case scenarios. It is mobile-friendly, designed for phones and tablets. Register for e-learning online. 

Learners will receive a certificate of completion at the end of each module that can be used for professional accreditation purposes. 

Modules 

Module 1: Identification and Referral of Potential Organ Donors

Module 2: Donation following Determination of Death by Neurologic Criteria (DNC)

Module 3: Medical Management of Organ Donors following Determination of Death by Neurologic Criteria (DNC)

Module 4: Donation following Determination of Death by Circulatory Criteria (DCC)

Sub-Module 4a: Donation after Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

Module 5: Patient- and Family-centred Care of Critically Ill Patients who are Potential Organ Donors in the ICU Setting

Explore learning objectives for each module by clicking on the module blocks below.

Register for this online e-learning course at campus.blood.ca

This curriculum has been developed by Canadian Blood Services in collaboration with Trillium Gift of Life Network, the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and many generous volunteers from the Canadian Critical Care community. 

About this curriculum - Q&A with Dr. Jennifer Hancock

Why is it important? What are the benefits of this curriculum?  

Organ donation is a gift that can impact thousands of Canadians every year.  This impact of donation opportunities is experienced by the donor and their family, those on the transplant side who are either waiting or lucky enough to receive an organ transplant, and also by the medical team caring for these individuals.

Donation, however, is an uncommon event and due in part to its rarity, many frontline healthcare providers have identified this as an important topic for ongoing education.  This curriculum provides an opportunity for self-paced learning on key topics throughout the donation pathway starting with identification and referral and continuing through the path with up-to-date recommendations for best-practice when caring for a potential donor and their family.

Who is it for?  

Any healthcare provider who may interact with a patient and family during the donation process.  This may include but not limited to healthcare providers who work in the Emergency department, Intensive Care Unit or provide Medical Assistance in Dying. This curriculum has been a labor of passion for numerous clinicians dedicated to improving the care of potential organ donors and their families that has evolved over the past numerous years of thoughtful collaboration.

What is unique about this curriculum?   

A national donation curriculum has not existed in Canada prior to the development of the Canadian Clinical Guide to Organ Donation.  It includes best practice recommendations, thoughtful patient, and family input and the most up-to-date organ donation science research.  This curriculum allows the learner to proceed at their own pace and has interactive assessments at the end of each module to consolidate learning.